What Jesus Did! 'Compassionate Teaching' — Mark 6:32-34

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

So [Jesus and the apostles] left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
— Mark 6:32-34 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was tired, and the people were spiritually lost and in danger — "sheep without a shepherd." So Jesus gave them what they needed most: "He began teaching them many things." From a Christian point of view, saying a "shepherd and teacher" is redundant. A shepherd teaches by guiding, leading, protecting, correcting, and caring. Let's call our modern Christian teachers to that high standard! They must do more and be more than a classroom lecturer. They must live the message they teach and love the people with whom they share it.

Today's Prayer

O dear Father, please give your people, your Church, more teachers who are genuine shepherds. So often, your people are like sheep without a shepherd. Please raise up more Christ-like shepherds among us! In Jesus' name, we fervently ask this. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 10:11-15
  • Acts 20:28-29
  • Ephesians 4:11-13

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 6:32-34 NLT — So he began teaching them many things.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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